Hi. I never got my hormones tested, but from reading those hormone imbalance symptom lists I deduced that I was estrogen dominant with low estrogen and even lower progesterone. So I started using progesterone cream and vitex about half a week ago, those are the only things I'm doing now. And since I started I have been really tired and sluggish. I don't know, it could be something independent of the medicine, but I was just wondering, am I doing something wrong? Since I didn't test my hormones, could this be an indication that this is not what I should be doing? I appreciate any input. Thanks!

Hi Jbrd,

Well it could be the progesterone. How much are you using? Are you timing this with your cycles (using it days 12 - 28)?

Progesterone can have a sedative effect if you overdose on it.

It is likely that since you just started the vitex that it is not the culprit. It takes something like 3 months for vitex to begin bringing up your progesterone levels, and even then it could never cause an overdose of progesterone. Vitex is regulated within our body's system. It only enhances the normal production of progesterone.

Now, you also could be experiencing and increase in estrogen dominance symptoms. Your body's initial reaction to progesterone is to wake up dormant estrogen receptors. This can throw the estrogen/progesterone ratio into even greater imbalance at first. One of the symptoms of estrogen dominance is thyroid dysfunction that mimics low thyroid output. One of the chief symptoms of this would be tiredness.

So... I am not being much help here... Except to say it is probably the progesterone, however, whether it is from too much or just part of the start up issues I haven't got a clue.

I suggest you get the book 'What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause' by Dr. John Lee. It is filled with valuable information regarding estrogen dominance and the proper use of progesterone. I would not suggest anyone begin a regime of using progesterone cream until they had checked out this very insightful book.

Since you did not get tested and you don't know for sure what your body needs I would suggest stopping the progesterone cream immediately. There are quite a few similarities between low progesterone and low estrogen. You may have guessed wrong. I posted a thread in the information for newcomers section on the main page that details the similarities and differences of estrogen dominance and deficiency.

If your symptoms of tiredness clear up from stopping the progesterone, then get a test and find out for sure what your body needs. Read the book I suggested before you proceed further with progesterone.

Best wishes,
waxingmoon